By Mark McGee

In Cooper Steel Arena, it was all about pleasure Thursday morning on the second day of the 86th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. The slate hosted 12 classes of eager competitors with 104 horse and rider teams coming up the shoot for their chance at a 2024 Celebration victory. 

To open the day, all four entries answered the gate call made by morning show announcer Travis Olinger for the Model Pleasure Stallions class. Back In The Saddle Again was back in winner’s circle at The Celebration again, winning the class for the second year in a row. Robert Nelms was at the lead for the Teel and Washburn partnership from Fayetteville, Tennessee. Back In The Saddle Again, the unanimous selection of the five-judge panel, has 10 blues and one reserve in 11 classes in 2024. Mr. LLC placed second with handler Laurie Toone for Ally Jo Jacobs and Brandon Tate. Ed’s Sweet Tea and handler Ronald Morton were third for Ed Lukacevic.

It was perfect attendance in the Owner-Amateur Four & Five-Year-Old All Day Pleasure class as 15 teams showed their stuff for the judging panel. Just A Steel Magnolia didn’t wilt against the competition earning the blue ribbon ride with owner Rhiannon Barker of Christiana, Tennessee. It was the fourth straight blue of the season. Overnight Success tied second with Kelli Harvey aboard. The yellow streamer was awarded to The Queen Supreme and Dr. Brittany Baum.

Up Up And Away flew away with the blue ribbon in the Lite-Shod Five & Under class that saw five of the seven programmed teams in the ring. Ridden by Patrick Thomas, Up Up And Away is owned by Lisa Baum of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Marvel Mystery and Chris Zahnd rode to a red streamer for Elaine and David Kapinos, while Kiss This Girl was third with Jonathan Baskin aboard for Kathy Gilliam-Cole.

Up next on the morning schedule were 13 excited teams looking to walk out of the novice division. A Knightime Menace and owner- rider Vickie Moore of New Castle, Virginia, earned that honor with their first place tie in the Owner-Amateur Novice Country Pleasure class. Nacho Business and co-owner Karen McGee Harnden were reserve for co-owner Phyllis Langley. Smokeshow and Danielle Vander Hoeven rode out with a yellow streamer.

Sweet Walking Matilda lived up to her name with a trip to the winner’s circle with Laurie Toone in the irons for Margo Urad. In just the second day of Celebration competition, Sweet Walking Matilda picked up her second world championship in the Trail Pleasure Four & Five-Year-Old class, which saw seven talented teams. Imagine Dragons placed reserve with Hannah Myatt aboard for Jennifer Stanley. The third place tie was Mr. Booty with Carrie DeJarnatte in the saddle for Darren Gray.

Another duo was back to capture their second 2024 world championship in the Amateur Owned & Trained All Day Pleasure class. She’s Never Been Kissed and Kimberly Walden bested their field of six entries to earn their new title. It was the second year in a row they have won this class. The second place award went to Gallivant and Jared Carrier, while the third place ribbon was presented to Absinthe and Sadie Rader for the Fikes and Rader partnership.

In the Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Trail Pleasure class Cha Cha Ching SF cashed in for a blue ribbon with Jordan Howell in the saddle for Janet Howell of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Cha Cha Ching SF has won two blues and one reserve in three classes this season. Rosalitta and owner-rider Ashley Wadsworth took home a red streamer. Cat Dragon, with Jason Myatt in the irons, earned a third place for Dr. Jana Anderson.
Eight of the 12 programmed entries were set to tackle the Owner-Amateur Novice Park Pleasure class next. One Special Poison and Skyler Nipper rode to the first place tie keeping them undefeated with five blues this show season. Gin’s Slingblade and Becca Tate rode to reserve for Janson Patterson. Aviation Gin landed in third place with co-owner-rider Alex Johnson on board for co-owner Nancy Evans.

Amanda Manis was back in victory lane, this time directing Vivian to the winner’s circle in the Owner-Amateur Three-Year-Old Country Pleasure class. Vivian has placed first in five of seven performances in 2024. Dead Beat Daddy captured reserve honors with Dennis Hills in the saddle, while Oklahoma Smokeshow and owner-rider Andy Stooksberry closed out the third spot.

The Two-Year-Old Park Pleasure contenders were next in the ring. Six of the eight planned entries answered the gate call. Fleury and Ryan Gannon won both the world championship and the National Futurity Championship for owner Kim Leonard of Franklin, Wisconsin. Fleury and Gannon have two blues and one reserve in three classes in 2024. Reserve was 7 Up, with Patrick Thomas in the saddle, for owner Lisa Baum. I’m Slimmin’ Down and Clay Sanderson rounded out the third spot for Brandon Tate. 

The Red Light District and Ashlyn Avent were back to defend their title and were once again victorious in the Amateur Owned & Trained Trail Pleasure class. This win marked the sixth blue ribbon of the show season for The Red Light District. My Black Cadillac was reserve with Connie Everett at the reins. I’m Big Bad John KW rode away with a yellow streamer with co-owner-rider Hayle Machal for co-owner Ruth Collins.

Twelve of the 14 programmed entries closed out the morning session in the Owner-Amateur Two-Year-Old Country Pleasure class. Lady Whistledown and Thom Meek emerged victorious from the field and rode to the winner’s circle for co-owner Chris Payne. She’s Mighty Pushy received the red streamer with Darren Gray aboard, and Dixie’s American Girl walked out with the third place ribbon with Shane Smith in the irons.